european stocks down after supermario monte announced an early resignation and japan is in a recession. dour moods around the world this morning. >> i know that will affect us early. christine, thank you. >>> 22 days until we fall over the fiscal cliff. some people have described it more as a gentle slide. there are reports of progress that might avoid disaster, the white house confirms that the speaker, john boehner and president obama met at the white house yesterday. both released statements basically they wouldn't say anything, but that "the lines of communication remain open." can we hope for a deal any time soon? cory booker, the mayor of newark, new jersey. nice to have you with us. >> very nice to be here. >> not part of the fiscal cliff discussions, apparently downo the two of them. what happens to your city if we go over the fiscal cliff? >> it's a real challenge for people all over my state, frankly. a lot of families in this tough economic time, seeing them having $2,000 or more on average of expenses of not enjoying tax cuts, will make a real impact. people barely making m